When to talk to a doctor or nurse
Some patterns are worth a chat with a health professional. None of these on their own mean something is wrong.
Worth getting checked if you notice:
- No period for 90+ days when you're not pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause
- Bleeding for more than 7 days, or soaking through a pad or tampon about once an hour
- Pain that's bad enough to stop you doing normal things
- Cycle lengths that keep jumping around by more than 7–9 days
- Bleeding between periods
Vernya shows you patterns - it doesn't diagnose anything. If something feels off, talk to a doctor or nurse you trust.
Common questions
Quick answers to questions people often have about this topic.
What counts as a heavy period?
A common rule of thumb: soaking through a regular pad or tampon roughly every hour for several hours, or passing clots bigger than about a 10p coin (or a quarter). It's worth mentioning to a doctor or nurse.
How late is "late" for a period?
A few days late from your usual length is common and rarely a problem. If it's been more than 90 days with no period and you're not pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause, it's worth checking in.
Is bleeding between periods always serious?
No - light spotting can have many harmless causes (new hormonal birth control, ovulation, irritation). If it's heavy, repeated, or new for you, mention it to a health professional.
When should I treat period pain as urgent?
If pain is much worse than usual, comes with fever, or stops you from doing normal things, get medical advice the same day. Pain that interferes with life every month is worth investigating, even if it has been going on for years.